The rings: Bands of beauty, commitment

Feb. 11, 2006

Pear cut: A hybrid cut, combining the best of an oval and marquise, it is shaped most like a sparkling teardrop. It also belongs to that category of diamond whose design most complements a hand with small or average-length fingers.
It is particularly beautiful for pendants or earrings. / Candice Towell/Reno Gazette-Journal

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Diamond quizTest your knowledge of this tradition.1. What does the word "diamond" mean?2. What is the earliest record of a man giving a diamond to a woman for her hand in marriage?3. On average, how old is a diamond?4. In ancient times, what "powers" did people believe diamonds gave them?5.What are some of the reasons people today wear diamonds?

Princess cut : This is a square or rectangular cut with numerous sparkling facets. It is a relatively new cut and often finds its way into solitaire engagement rings. Flattering to a hand with long fingers, it is often embellished with triangular stones at its sides. Because of its design, this cut requires more weight to be directed toward the diamondís depth in order to maximize brilliance. Depth percentages of 70% to 78% are not uncommon. / Candice Towell/Reno Gazette-Journal

Emerald cut: This is a rectangular shape with cut corners. It is known as a step cut because its concentric broad, flat planes resemble stair steps. Since inclusions and inferior color are more pronounced in this particular cut, take pains to select a stone of superior clarity and color. / Candice Towell/Reno Gazette-Journal

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Scott Walquist played it cool when his bride to be, Elinor Howard, brought up engagement rings.

"I had been paying close attention to things she said she really liked about rings," Walquist said. "I know she didn't think I was listening, but I was."

Walquist proposed to Howard last summer. The couple is planning a Sept. 9 Reno wedding. Rings were the first thing this couple scratched off on their long to-do and to-buy list. For many couples, engagement and wedding rings are key purchases whenever they're getting married.

"It's a busy time right now with Valentine's Day," said Bart Marks, Nevada president of Rogers Jewelry. "But the engagement and bridal purchase is steady throughout the year."

So you're together and ready to buy the ring. Where do you go? According to the Gemological Society of America, the institute of research and learning, picking out a jeweler is like choosing a doctor, lawyer or any other professional. Local professionals agree.

"You are picking out an investment that you will have forever," said Darrin Cody, an assistant manager at DeVons at Meadowood Mall.

Having a relationship with a jeweler is key, said Camille Lewis, owner of Richards Jewelers on Moana Lane. Buying a ring is strictly a hands-on deal.

"You need to be able to go in and buy a ring and see it and feel it," Lewis said. "You need to see what it looks like to your naked eye."

On average about 60 percent of couples pick out rings together, jewelers said.

"The rest of the guys come in by themselves, but at least 85 percent consult with a woman -- either a friend of the bride's or his or her mother," Marks said.

Walquist brought his mom along for advice.

"She was more than excited to go," Walquist said. "Since I had a good idea of what I wanted, we were able to narrow down the options and really concentrate on three of four rings. It was nice to have reassurance from my mom that I made the right decision."

Walquist picked out a three-stone, round-cut diamond ring set in a platinum band.

"Platinum is so popular because women always want what their mothers didn't have," said Cody . "They grew up seeing their moms with gold bands so the white metals became very popular."

Ringing endorsement

The round-cut diamond is also by far the most popular, according to Cody. More than 75 percent of all diamonds sold are round-cut. The next most popular style is the princess cut, a square-shaped cut diamond.

According to www.theknot.com, an online resource for couples planning weddings, the shape of the diamond is the first step a buyer and bride need to decide on, followed by setting styles and personal style.

Like groom-to-be Walquist, paying attention to things Howard said helped him pick out the perfect ring.

"I had friends start asking if Scott knew what I liked," said Howard. "I looked at rings online and at the mall and figured out that I liked a few different things."

Howard said -- as nonchalant as she could be -- she described what she liked.

At first Walquist seemed interested, but to throw Howard off he blew off any further discussions about engagement rings.

According to experts, educating yourself about diamonds and rings is the best first step.

"Most consumers come in and know something about diamonds," said Victor Valdez, owner of Precision Diamonds.

"But I think it's important that whoever a person goes to purchase a diamond you are taught about the diamonds in layman's terms," he said.

"You want to know what makes a certain diamond worth what it is worth whether you are spending $300 or $30,000." On average most people spend about $3,000 for an engagement ring.

"Most men are pretty comfortable spending for this kind of purchase," said Cody.

Walquist admits he cut back on spending for a while to save for the ring and spent a few thousand more than the typical buyer.

"I had researched it so I knew what it was going to cost, so it wasn't a surprise," he said.

Wedding bands

Walquist picked out the wedding band for Howard when he picked out the engagement ring.

"I decided to buy the band with the ring because the two looked beautiful next to one another," Walquist said.

"It goes with my engagement ring very nicely and I love it," said Howard.

The jewelery store gave Walquist a gift certificate for purchasing Howard's set and the couple used it to buy his wedding band.

Most men don't want anything flashy, jewelers said.

"Sometimes we do have a man who wants a diamond band, but usually they want something simple," Cody said. "Many men, or I guess it's the women, want a band that matches her ring," Cody said. "I wanted a silver band and my wife decided I'd have gold."

Walquist decided on a silver galvanized ring.

"It fits him really well because he doesn't wear much jewelry, so it's a subtle change," Howard said. "I'm so glad he found something he is comfortable wearing."